Category Archives: Bible commentary

Following Jesus, described in the language of honor and shame

Bible commentary, Honor and shame

How did believers in the early church describe their motivation for being a follower of Jesus? Could it be they followed Jesus because their sins were forgiven? Yes, that is part of it. But considering that the pivotal cultural value in the Mediterranean world and Middle East was—and still is—honor and shame, could their motivation also have been this? That in knowing Christ their shame before God was eliminated—and that it gave them a  greater honor—a truer, eternal source of honor—that source being Christ himself.

An author who addresses this issue is David A. deSilva, in The Hope of Glory: Honor Discourse in New Testament Interpretation. The following excerpt is from page 84–85 in the chapter, “Honor Discourse in the Fourth Gospel.”

Before the court of God, what gives the believer honor? How does John use the promise of honor to motivate specific behaviors? Believing in Jesus itself brings an extraordinary grant of honor as the believer joins the family of God: “to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (1:12–13 RSV). Their honor rating is no longer determined by their natural birth, but has become incomparably higher through birth into God’s family and thus a share in the honor of the Almighty. …

This devaluation of criteria used among people to weigh relative honor appears again in John 8:34-36: “everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not continue in the house forever; the Son continues forever. So if the Son makes you free you will be free indeed” (RSV). What is decisive for one’s status is not a matter of wealth, noble birth, or fame, but whether one has committed sin. Servile status is shameful, and only the Son can bestow honor on the individual, granting freedom to the slave (the one who is a slave of sin). True honor, then, is a gift from the Son, and the believer derives honor from his or her embeddedness in the honor of Jesus, which is itself embedded in the honor of God. Indeed, Jesus has ascribed to the believers the same “glory” God has given Jesus (17:22). Jesus, introduced as the sole mediator of God’s favor, has also extended to the disciples the honor of being mediators of Jesus’ favor (13:20), and has even named them “friends” (a term of social equality and reciprocity) rather than “servants” (a term of social inequality.)

What if, we, as followers of Jesus Christ, could speak of our motivation in being a follower of Jesus, not just in the terms of innocence and guilt, but also, in the terms of honor and shame? What would that sound like?

It might sound like this:

“In pursuit of my highest honor, I have become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of my shameful sins before God have been covered by the most glorious death of Jesus Christ, whose body was broken, and whose blood was shed, for my sin. I do not deserve it, but in the glorious plan of God Almighty, the sacrificial death of the perfect Son of God, Jesus Christ, made it possible for my sins to be punished and paid for on His body. Yes, it is hard to believe, but it is true!

Some say that God would never allow the shame of the Cross to be placed on His Son. However, the Bible says God purposed the crucifixion of His Son for the display of his glory—and for the gaining of infinite honor for His Son, Jesus Christ! Therefore, this death of Christ has given me the ability to be fully accepted into the finest, most honorable family in all the earth.

Yes, it is amazing! It speaks of the immense glory, compassion and condescending love of God—that I can now come before Him in prayer without shame. Yes, not one ounce of shame, only honor, only acceptance, only dignity before the Holy Most High God. Why? Because, mystically, I am now in Christ. The spirit of Jesus now lives in me, and I now live in Him.

I have received the right to be a child of God. What an immense honor—being a part of the family of God! I have been born again into the most honored family, the most glorious community in all creation.

By God’s grace, I have been favored to receive this great honor—to know and follow Jesus. Yes, it is my highest honor to know Him, to serve Him, and not only that … I also share in the glory of extending this honorable blessing, this beautiful grace, to other people. What a blessed life I now live!

This is why I love Jesus. He is my most honored, great Treasure. To Jesus I owe all that I am. In communion with all followers of Jesus, I share in the very glory and honor of Jesus Christ. Yes, I have a friendship with the King of Kings whose name is Jesus, the Son of God.

So I say with the prophet David, “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head” (Psalm 3:3).

Of course, there are extensive Bible verses that I could reference for every sentence and idea presented above. I suggest reading the Gospel of John, chapters 1, 5, 12, 17. And Paul’s letter to the Ephesians chapter 1 thru 3. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapters 1 thru 3 also contains many verses which are foundational to these glorious truths.

Resolving the tension between grace and truth—through ‘missional grace’

Bible commentary, Ephesians, Global Christian mission,

When Christian leaders disagree on the relative emphasis on grace versus truth, I imagine it being resolved through missional grace. Here’s what I mean.

I imagine that on one side, there are the grace champions, and on the other side, the truth champions.

Grace champions are passionate about the fact that GRACE is the answer to living in a fallen world; they believe that Jesus Christ—especially in his transforming love—is the answer to our brokenness as individuals, families, communities. In my thinking, if I’m a grace champion, I believe people must repent and experience healing from their brokenness. We are all in pain, and for most of us, life is a struggle in one degree or another. We are all sinners. Praise God, His grace helps us overcome. We all need Jesus! 

Truth champions are passionate about the fact that TRUTH is the answer to living in a fallen world; they believe that Jesus Christ—especially in His transforming Word—is the answer to all our deceptions. In my thinking, if I’m a truth champion, I believe people must repent of their sin, their belief in false truths, their worship of false gods. We all need the truth principles in God’s Word to overcome our own sin and sinful deceptions. We need the truth of God to stand against our sinful culture. We are all sinners. Praise God, truth sets us free! We all need Jesus!

Sometimes truth champions oppose grace champions. Truth champions are concerned that, if one is too grace-oriented, too forgiving, too accepting—the objective truth of God’s Word will be marginalized—with the result that the church will lose its significance in a secular, relativistic culture. They fear that, instead of standing against the evils of the culture, the church will succumb to and decline with the culture; the church will have lost its mission, its identity.

Sometimes grace champions oppose truth champions. They are concerned that, by being too truth-oriented, the love and grace of Christ will be marginalized—with the result that the church will alienate struggling believers and be unattractive to a lost world. They fear that the church, instead of being a place that welcomes the hurting, ends up as more of a social club for the successful; the church will have lost its mission, its identity.

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Into this divide between grace champions and truth champions, God’s Word speaks of Jesus Christ:  

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14 ESV

In Jesus Christ, there is no division, there is no conflict between grace and truth. Simply, Jesus Christ is full of grace and full of truth in perfect integrity. This Word—this Son—is glorious! … as glorious, honorable and worthy of praise as the Father who sent him.

Yes, Christ was sent. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us …” God the Father sent God the Son to this world, and he “became flesh.”

If I am to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, then I’ll be engaged in a glory-filled, life-long missional journey, endeavoring to live out my life as a harmony of grace and truth.

Do you want a fuller understanding of grace? Are you involved in a conflict between grace and truth? Some insights from the book of Ephesians:

Examine the word grace in Ephesians 1: 6–7, along with its context (verses 3–14). Because of grace, what does the believer receive in these verses? Because of grace we are in Chirst, in the Beloved One; therefore we have received … redemption, forgiveness, adoption into God‘s family, knowledge of the mystery of his will, an inheritance … indeed, all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Chirst. The treasures and blessings are infinite in scope.

Examine the three times the word grace is used in Ephesians 2:5–9. Because of grace, what does the believer receive in these verses? The believer is “made alive together with Christ;” the believer receives the elevated position of being seated with Christ “in the heavenly places,” all by virtue of God’s effort, not our own. This is “not of works, so that no one may boast.” It is the gift of grace. And to think this all happended “while we were dead in our trespasses.” Amazing what the believer receives by grace!

But now consider Ephesians 3:1–13. Here we see another dimension to the grace God. Here, grace is not only about what the Apostle Paul receives, it’s also about what he is divinely commissioned by God to give. Paul is given the enormous responsibility (you’ll see he considers this a gift of grace in verse 2, 7 and 8!) …

“… assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,” (Ephesians 3:2 ESV)

“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. (Ephesians 3:7 ESV)

“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,” (Ephesians 3:8 ESV)

Do you see it? Paul viewed grace not only as the means of his forgiveness, but also as the means for his calling and mission. Shouldn’t it be the same for all believers in the church today? Of course, Paul was specifically called to be an apostle to the Gentiles in the early church, and so his unique calling does not apply to you and me. But here is the principle that does apply:

As grace saves us, so also, grace sends us to those who are yet to receive the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

So how might an expanded, truth-filled, missional understanding of grace resolve the so-called conflict between grace and truth? By enabling us to see that grace is not just for saving the lost, and compensating for weakness or sin and failure.

True biblical grace transforms the believer into someone who goes, who is sent. Grace-saturated followers of Christ (like Apostle Paul) are honorable servants and ambassadors whose passion is to bless those neighbors and peoples and nations (those we might even call our enemies!) who have not yet received the transforming gospel of Christ.

If grace does not include mission, it is small, truncated, and self-centered. We are not just saved by grace. We are sent by grace. This is missional grace.

In the glory of Christ and his mission to bless all peoples and nations, there is no divide between grace and truth.

Is your “glory” awakened?

Bible commentary, Global Christian mission, Honor and shame

Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn! –Psalm 57:8 ESV

What were the circumstances in David’s life when he wrote in Psalm 57, “Awake, my glory”?

David wrote this in a dark place in his life. This Psalm likely refers to events recorded in 1 Samuel 22. He was fleeing from Saul, hiding in a cave. Saul had killed others. David knew he could be next. “My soul is in the midst of lions,” he wrote in verse 4.

Psalm 57 reveals the heroic heart of David. While fearing for his life (v. 1, 4) he lifted his heart in worship to God (v. 5, 11) and allowed his faith to soar.

David never forgot that years before, he had been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king of Israel. He believed God ordained for him a royal destiny.

So how did David see himself in his mind’s eye, living out his faith, his royal destiny toward God?

Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations. –Psalm 57:8–9 ESV

“I will awake the dawn.” What could this mean?

Was David imagining himself having superhuman strength to make the sun come up all by himself? I suggest that David knew his life had an incredibly significant destiny way beyond the horizon … way beyond tomorrow, way beyond his immediate geography.

That cave was cold and dark. The most powerful and ruthless man in the land was after him. But David did not despair.

David knew that a day was coming when he would be using his unique talents and gifts to make known “among the peoples” — the glorious, steadfast love of God Most High. He would be singing and worshiping among the peoples, using his creative gifts, both to bless God and to bless the nations.

David knew ‘in his bones’ that his royal destiny, his glory—was merely dormant. He came close to death many times in conflict with his enemies. But ultimately, his glory, his destiny could not be denied.

David’s passionate longing for glory aligned with God’s grand global purpose. In faith, David cried out and called forth his destiny in God’s Story. “Awake, my glory … I will give thanks to you among  the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.”

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Are you like David? Are you in a place in your journey where it feels like you’re in a cave? Do you sense something glorious deep within remains unfulfilled? Do you long for God to awaken your glory?

Whatever gifts, skills or resources God has ordained for your life … whatever experiences, beautiful or tragic, He has allowed for you in your journey … know this: If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are IN GOD’S STORY.

And God’s global love Story is glorious! It is glorious for God, it is glorious for the nations, and it is glorious for you.

Meeting needs or pursuing God’s purpose?

Bible commentary, Global Christian mission

On Thursday May 19, I had the joy of hearing Steve Hawthorne teach at the office of Frontiers, a mission organization located here in the Phoenix area.

Like many others who have been through Perspectives, I owe a great debt to Steve for his writings and work. What an inspiration!

Below are some thoughts based on some of Steve’s teaching that morning.

“I have glorified You on the earth, having finished the work that You gave Me to do.” –John 17:4 NAS

With regard to this verse, Steve said,

“Jesus references his life purpose in terms of what he did for God. … The Bible usually frames [missions / the story of redemption] in terms of what God gains for himself. Jesus wasn’t just meeting needs. Jesus was finishing. There was work. There was an actual task. He was not just keeping busy. Jesus had a task. He was able to say No to this and No that—because he knew his task.”

“He did not do everything that needed to be done. He could have said, I need more time. But Jesus was not framing his mission around his capacities. Nor around the needs of the world.”

There’s a difference between mission that is done to meet needs, and mission that is inside of God’s specific eternal, relational purpose, which Steve Hawthorne calls a “purpose-pursuit.”

While human needs are met along the way of this “purpose-pursuit,” at the core, this pursuit, this mission does not begin with human needs. Rather, the purpose of God is to gain glory for himself, for the sake of his name. He does this through his plan to bless all the peoples of the earth through Christ and Christ’s followers.

For they have gone out for the sake of the name, … –3 John 8 ESV

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. –Romans 11:36 ESV

What a profoundly relational enterprise! The final words of our Lord’s Great Commission are:

… And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. –Matthew 28:20

The work of our calling and mission is not only “from him” and “to him”, but also “through him.” No wonder Jesus said, “I am with you always.” He is with us in an intimately collaborative work unto a wondrous fulfillment—“the end of the age.”

This specific fulfillment is rooted in the ancient purpose of God to bless all the peoples of the earth (Genesis 12:3). Ours is a supreme fellowship with a supreme global purpose—unto a supremely good and loving God.

Steve Hawthorne is the editor of the book, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. He also wrote the article, “The Story of His Glory,”  which is lesson 2 in Perspectives, and which is the basis for the biblical component of Operation WorldView.

The most elegant words in the Bible about our mission?

Bible commentary, Global Christian mission

“Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21 ESV)

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you:
as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (John 15:21 KJV)

Concerning Christian mission, is there a verse of Scripture more simple and strong and beautiful than this?

  • Jesus had both deep humility and fierce resolve (Philippians 2:8). So send I you.
  • Jesus was a friend to sinners (Matthew 9:11). So send I you.
  • Jesus loved the unlovely (Mark 3:1–5). So send I you.
  • Jesus ministered cross-culturally (Mark 8:24, John 4:4–40). So send I you.
  • Jesus blended grace and truth beautifully (John 1:14). So send I you.
  • Jesus had an intimate prayer relationship with the Father (Luke 16:12). So send I you.
  • Jesus did everything ultimately for the glory of God (John12:28). So send I you.

To abide in Christ (John 15:4) means to identify with Jesus—to bear fruit in his Story to bless all peoples and nations.

Is this the Story that runs through my heart? Is this my identity?

The honor of praying to “the Father of glory”

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
–Ephesians 1:17 ESV

Here are some considerations about the fact that Paul’s prayer is to “the Father of glory” …

In verse 17 is this phrase: “the Father of glory.” One meaning of this phrase is simply that God is glorious.

Glory is perhaps the most honor-laden word in Scripture. It speaks of renown and fame, weightiness and density, beauty and extreme value. The Hebrew word for glory is kabod, and includes the meaning of weight. Paul is praying to “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory…”

Paul is saying that God is glorious; this is His most prominent feature. Could it be that by using the word, glory, Paul is saying that all of the attributes of God … holiness, love, righteousness, justice, omnipotence, omniscience, mercy, and so on … are all wrapped up under the banner of “glory?”

Here is a second possible meaning: Could it also be that Paul is saying that since God is the “Father of glory” that he begets glory in those who are created in his image? Since God is the “Father of glory,” and as the second Person of the Godhead, his Son Jesus Christ is equally glorious, therefore all who are part of his family, who are part of the body of Jesus Christ—are also made with the potential for glory. The “Father of glory and honor” begets glory and honor to his children.

The “Father of glory” is a great Patron and benefactor, revealing his immense honor. According to scholar Jerome Neyrey, in the ancient world, there existed a “code of patronage” [1] as part of the social system of honor and shame. In the “code of patronage,” the patron is honored by giving to his clients, while at the same time, the client’s honor is elevated.”

According to the code of patronage, it belongs to the patron to show exceptional favoritism to select individuals. “This is expressed clearly in the stories of both Old and New Testament persons, including Abraham, David, and Jesus.

God chooses to bless Abraham through land, protection, and descendants (Genesis 12:1–3); near the end of his life, David sings the praises of his Patron in 2 Samuel 22; and in Matthew 3:17, God speaks to Jesus saying, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” In all of these cases, God is the wealthy, honorable Patron who is demonstrating his honor and wealth by choosing to bless the “client.”

Neyrey writes, “The terms patron and client do not appear, but only a person unfamiliar with the culture would fail to recognize the singular favoritism David enjoys with God. Thus, when it says that God is “well pleased with him,” this declares for all to hear that God has elected Jesus, shown him special favor, and entered into a unique patron-client relationship with him.”

1. For a discussion about the patron-client relationship that pervaded the honor-shame culture of the New Testament, see Jerome Neyrey: Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew (Louisville: Westminster Press, 1998), p. 37–39.

He heard about their faith

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
–Ephesians 1:15–16 ESV

Paul heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus, and their love toward all the saints. Here Paul is acknowledging that he’s heard about them—he is complimenting them for their faith and love. He is acknowledging that there is a certain renown about these believers, and thus this is way of giving them honor. Concerning these believers, their affections are directed upward in faith toward heaven and outward in agape love toward their community of believers.

Because of their faith and love, Paul prays, but it is not a quick one-time prayer. “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering your in my prayers…” This is sustained prayer, unceasing prayer. It is prayer saturated with thanksgiving.

This surely is a figure of speech—hyperbole or exaggeration—that Paul does “not cease to give thanks…” But it reflects the passion, concern, and enthusiasm for the saints at Ephesus which is in his heart, and the sense of responsibility he feels for their growth and maturity in Christ. There is a deep relational connection between Paul and these believers and Jesus Christ.

There is an interplay between the Godhead (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), an individual person (Paul), and groups of people (the community of believers receiving this letter)—which is so beautiful and characteristic of Christianity.

From the perspective of honor and shame, this verse displays Paul’s way of honoring the believers to whom he is writing. I wonder: was Paul aware that his letter would be read by believers in a variety of communities in Asia Minor—and on through the ages by believers all over the world—further enhancing the reputation and honor of this community of saints?

The honor of living “to the praise of his glory”

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

“who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
–Ephesians 1:14

At the end of this magnificent description (verses 3–14) of the blessings of God to those in Christ … is this phrase: “to the praise of his glory.” But it is the third time it appears in the passage. We observe a variation of this phrase in verse 6, and then again two more times in this passage:

  1. In verse 6: “to the praise of his glorious grace…”
  2. In verse 12: “to the praise of his glory.”
  3. In verse 14: “to the praise of his glory.”

“The praise of his glory” is, indeed, the end for which all things are created, the overarching theme of the Story. But I also see three nuances relative to time in the above three Scriptures:

  1. In verse 6: “to the praise of his glorious grace” refers to eternity past, because it follows the words in verse 5, “he predestined us for adoption as sons…”
  2. In verse 12: “to the praise of his glory” refers to present tense believers—“that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” The little word be—this is refers to present time existence, the first generation of Christ-followers who believe in him in present moment of history.
  3. In verse 14: “to the praise of his glory” refers to the Holy Spirit being “the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it…” It is a future time reality.

So we see the comprehensive nature of all of reality—eternity past, eternity in the present moment, and eternity future—all of it exists to the praise of his glory.

This means that all of life, all of eternity, all of the cosmos exists for the glory of God, and although there is indeed a cosmic fallenness and depravity from sin on this planet, it will one day all be healed. It will one day all be united in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Beloved.

What does this mean for me today?

  1. I pray, Lord, that you would give me passion for your presence, for your glory. As Moses prayed, “Lord, show me your glory.” Lord, show me your ways.
  2. I see, O God, that I can live with more integrity concerning your glory. I fall far short, Lord Jesus, in expressing this passion for your honor.
  3. When I fail to pray, I miss the transcendence of your honor and glory.

The honor of inheritance

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame, Uncategorized

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory
–Ephesians 1:11–12 ESV

The “inheritance” is a powerful proof of family identity. From the perspective of honor and shame, it was regarded in ancient times as proof of bloodline—of respect, honor, wealth and blessing conveyed by the father to his son. It is still thought of in this manner, but in ancient times the significance is magnified many times compared to our modern day.

Verse 11 says, “we have obtained an inheritance…” Concerning this inheritance, some comments:

  1. It is “in him”—in Christ. Through our union with Jesus Christ, what we have received is of inestimable honor and value.
  2. This was decided along ago, “predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” … there is a sublime, divine intelligence … a divine social pact in the Trinity that through “counsel” developed a “purpose” and then put the plan into action.
  3. There is an Author and a Story, indeed, and “we have obtained an inheritance,” we are included in the Story! This is an awesome honor and privilege.

In verse 12,

The “inheritance” is a powerful proof of family identity. From the perspective of honor and shame, it was regarded in ancient times as proof of bloodline—of respect, honor, wealth and blessing conveyed by the father to his son. It is still thought of in this manner, but in ancient times the significance is magnified many times compared to our modern day.

Furthermore, “we have obtained an inhertance”…

  1. In him, in Christ. Through our union with Jesus Christ, what we have received is of inestimable honor and value.
  2. This was decided along ago, “predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” … there is a sublime, divine intelligence … a diviine social pact in the Trinity through “counsel” developed a “purpose” and then put the plan into action.
  3. There is an Author and a Story, indeed, and “we have obtained an inheritance,” we are included in the Story! This is an awesome hono and privilege.

In verse 12, Paul speaks of the immediate context of his time and role in the grand Story, when he says, “so that we who were the first to hope in Christ…” He is aware that,

  1. Paul and his fellow believers have a special honor: that of being “the first to hope in Christ.” They are part of the first generation, the first in their local lineage, the first in their respective families to put their hope in Christ.
  2. They are among the very first ones, therefore, to have the privilege of living in Christ, “to the praise of his glory.”

This passage overflows with honor and glory.

speaks of the immediate context of his time and role in the grand Story, when he says, “so that we who were the first to hope in Christ…” He is aware that,

  1. Paul and his fellow believers have a special honor: that of being “the first to hope in Christ.” They are part of the first generation, the first in their local lineage, the first in their respective families to put their hope in Christ.
  2. They are among the very first ones, therefore, to have the privilege of living in Christ, “to the praise of his glory.”

This passage overflows with honor and glory.

The honor of being lavished upon with grace

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

… according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
–Ephesians 1:7–10 ESV

God has lavished on us “the riches of his grace” — and this is the crux of two mighty blessings:

  1. redemption through his blood, and the forgiveness of our trespasses and sins, (v7) and
  2. knowledge: “making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” (v8)

Concerning this knowledge of his will:

  1. It is not a small amount of grace/knowledge, but it is “lavished on us in all wisdom and insight”.
  2. God’s will is no longer a mystery, but it is contained in the Person of Christ. God’s will is not an abstract set of principles, but rooted in a Person—the Lord Jesus Christ.
  3. This plan is “for the fullness of time”—this is not just knowledge that is localized, not like local television news about what’s important today. God’s plan is for “for the fullness of time” and thus gives us insight into the big Story, the grand narrrative.
  4. The plan is beautiful: it is designed to unite what is fractured—“to unite all things in him.” This uniting of all things in Christ implies that there is a cosmic brokenness in our world and that this brokenness will one day come to an end. For all things will be united in Christ, healed of sin and separation and conflict.
  5. “things in heaven and on earth”—this tells us that this uniting all things in Christ—this healing of what is broken—will be total, comprehensive, universal.

What a hope! What a contrast to the Greek Gods who make fickle decisions because of whim, who are supernatural on the one hand, but also violent, emotional, unpredictable.

Also, what a message for the post-modern world which believes that meaning is created by the self, that there is not a meta-narrative, no Story above all stories. This transcendence is rooted in history-past and points with a living hope to history-future, full of goodness and hope and beauty. It implies we have a responsibility to share this message.

The responsibility to share this message is stated plainly in chapter three where Paul personalizes God’s call on his life inside of the grand Story. What is clear in Ephesians is that God’s choosing Paul to extend the blessing of Christ to the Gentiles is, “election with universal intent” as Lesslie Newbigin calls it. The whole Story is inherently missional. It gives Christ-followers such great honor, such great responsibility in God’s Story.